a good windows API programming book

This is a discussion on a good windows API programming book within the Windows Programming forums, part of the Platform Specific Boards category; I'm just starting to learn Windows API programming. I read most of Horton's Beginning Visual C++ book that came with ...

a good windows API programming book

I'm just starting to learn Windows API programming. I read most of Horton's Beginning Visual C++ book that came with my Visual Studios. While I undestood the API sections, the MFC had me confused. Should I buckle down and learn te MFC or should I learn more of the API first? What would be a good book to get? None of the book stores in my area have an API book; they are all MFC or .NET.

I prefer the API over MFC but it's each programmer's general choice on which they prefer/want to use. I don't have the book with me right now so I will post again tomorrow with the book that I bought to learn the API incase you decide to go that route.